George Jones Dead at 81

Country music has lost one of its all-time-greatest icons, as legendary singer George Jones died Friday (April 26) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was hospitalized on April 18 with a fever and irregular blood pressure.

Born September 12, 1931, Jones is undeniably one of the most important and influential singers in the history of American popular music. His five decades of enduring classics included 'She Thinks I Still Care,' 'The Grand Tour,' 'Walk Through This World With Me,' 'Tender Years' and 'He Stopped Loving Her Today,' which is is widely regarded as one of the greatest country songs of all time.

Jones had recently embarked on what was to be his farewell tour, appropriately dubbed the Grand Tour. The celebration of his storied career was planned to wrap up with an all-star farewell concert on Nov. 22 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, for which Jones had already announced a jaw-dropping array of guest stars as a testament to his enduring musical legacy.

Jones is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Nancy Jones, his sister Helen Scroggins, and by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.